Recent highlights from atomic force microscopy of DNA

Citation
Hg. Hansma et al., Recent highlights from atomic force microscopy of DNA, J BIO STRUC, 2000, pp. 271-275
Citations number
35
Categorie Soggetti
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Journal title
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
ISSN journal
07391102 → ACNP
Year of publication
2000
Pages
271 - 275
Database
ISI
SICI code
0739-1102(2000):S2<271:RHFAFM>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
Seven recent highlights are presented from atomic force microscopy (AFM) of DNA in this lab. The first two involve advances in the observation of enzy matic reactions in near-physiological solutions. E. coli RNA polymerase was observed to process along its DNA template in a series of time-lapse image s [S. Kasas, et al., Biochemistry 36, 461 (1997)], and a new small-cantilev er atomic force microscope (AFM) imaged DNA degradation by DNase I at rates as fast as two seconds per image. The next five highlights involve structu ral observations of DNA and DNA-protein complexes, including DNA condensed for gene delivery, sequence-dependent DNA condensation, an AFM assay for RN A polymerase, and AFM evidence for a yeast kinetochore complex that may be involved in holding together sister chromatids during cell division.